Advice on Pets: Don't let Halloween become a nightmare

Wednesday

Oct 23, 2013 at 12:01 AMOct 23, 2013 at 10:30 PM

DEAR FRIENDS: Soon, all the ghosts and goblins in your neighborhood will be prowling the streets in pursuit of treats. All this excitement is bound to start your dog barking and your cat scampering around the house. So how do you keep things from getting out of hand and paw?

Here are a few Halloween tips that should help insure that a howlin’ good Halloween is had by all:

It is best to keep the dog at home while accompanying small children on their rounds. Dark streets, flowing costumes and masks that obstruct views may demand all your attention. Keep your animals safe at home by confining them indoors. Children may approach or frighten a dog who is tied up or behind a fence. Take extra precautions to keep your dog in a secure area of the house, especially if your pet is a door dasher, is not used to children or gets upset when strangers approach your house. Indoors is the safest place for your cat, preferably behind a closed bedroom door so he or she cannot escape. Warn children and teenagers never to hurt or harm animals during Halloween. Explain that shaving cream can be dangerous to a cat or dog. If animals ingest the cream, they can become very ill. Caution children to avoid houses where dogs are not properly secured. Remind children not to run up to or pet strange animals — after all, their costumes might scare the animals. It is amazing how many adorable Halloween pet costumes are now available. Resist the urge to buy one if you know your animal will not tolerate wearing one. Choose simple costumes — those that most easily resemble dog sweaters will be the most comfortable for the animal. Make sure the costume allows the animal to maintain clear vision and does not interfere with the ability to breathe, bark or hear. Openings must also allow for eating, drinking and “going to the bathroom.” The costume should not have pieces or parts that the animal can chew on and swallow. Don’t sacrifice a collar and I.D. tag in favor of a costume. All dogs and cats should have I.D. tags and collars at all times, just in case they slip out the door. Candles and lighted jack-o’-lanterns should be placed in safe places where an animal can’t tip them over. If your dog or cat loves to chew on things, you will also want to take care with the placement of other Halloween decorations, especially those with electric lights or cords. Keep all candy out your dog’s reach. Chocolate can cause illness in dogs; raisins are also problematic. Large amounts of any kind of candy can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers are hazardous and can cause intestinal blockages. Create Halloween fun with your pet. Make up a doggie or kitty treat bag for your own pet with pet treats for Halloween. Play a game like bobbing for biscuits by filling a shallow pan with lukewarm water and a few biscuits, then watch your dog bob.

Love, Bootsie

P.S. Join us at the Potter League for Howl-O-Ween Happenings. Here at the Potter League, we take our tricks and treats very seriously and so we’re holding some spooktacular events to celebrate.

Howlapalooza is Sunday from noon-3 p.m. and costs $16 per family. Dogs and their owners will show off their cool costumes and compete for some awesome awards. A dog obstacle course and agility course will feature spooky and scary obstacles — we double-dog dare you! There will also be door prizes, costume awards, photos and, of course, tricks and treats. The event will be held rain or shine.

The Lil’ Pumpkin Playgroups and Costume Party is Wednesday, with the Halloween Puppy Playgroup at 5 p.m. and Halloween Small Breed Playgroup at 6 p.m. The cost is $7 per dog. It’s a costume party and playgroup all in one, with tricks, treats, costume prizes and fun.

Pre-registration is not required. For more information contact Jill at 846.0592, Ext. 122, or JillH@PotterLeague.org.

Mail questions to Bootsie Potter, P.O. Box 412, Newport, RI 02840, or send email to bootsiep@potterleague.org. The Potter League for Animals is located at 87 Oliphant Lane in Middletown. For more information, log on to www.potterleague.org.

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